Centrifugal casting machine



May 26, 1925. I 1,539,691

' B. NOBLE.

CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed July 19, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 B. NOBLE CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 26, 1925, 1,539,691

s. NOBLE CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed July 19, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet z um/tot meme May 26, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

. y I BENJAMIN NOBLE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CAPITOL BRASS WORKS,

OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN. I

'CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE.

Application filed July 19, 1922. Serial No. 576,025. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN NoBnE, a

citizen of the United States of America, residin at Detroit, in the county of Vayne and btate of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Casting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to -a centrifugal casting machine and has special reference to that class of automatic machines for casting hollow articles, generally, in which the interior cavity or bore is. in the form of a cylinder, cone or frustum of a cone irrespective of the configuration imparted to the'exterior of the article by the mold. As an instance of such hollow articles, I may mention cast iron pipes, sleeves, bushings, liners,

First, the machine embodies a motor driven rotary mold in which a mass of temporarily plastic or molten material may be placed to have rotation imparted thereto.

thereby subjecting the mass to the action of.

centrifugal force, so that the plastic or molten material will be uniformly distributed throughout the mold and, particularly into any ofi'set portion thereof. Associated with the rotary mold is a gate or end mold of novel design in which an offset portion of an article may be advantageously molded, and provision is made for automatically shifting the gate or end mold relative to the main mold, so that the operator or attendant of the machine is free to charge the mold as fast as the articles are removed therefrom.

Second, a machine in accordance with my invention embodies an article ejector and utilizes air, under pressure, for actuating the ejector and for producing a blast inthe mold of the machine to remove foreign matter that may interfere with the exterior finish or configuration of an article molded gate is in timed relation to the operation of i taken on the llne VV of'F1g. 4;

by the machine. The shifting of the mold the article ejector, and such operations are carried on without a cessation 1n the rotation of the mold.

' Third, the mold and its appurtenant parts i are mounted for angular adjustment relative to a substantial machine base or bed and, it is by virtue of such adjustment that the mold may be placed at a desired inclination for producing articles of desired dimensions and configurations according to the nature of the plastic or molten material to be shapedand havesolidity imparted thereto.

Fourth, my invention further includes an adjustable guard for a continuous .0 erating mold from which complete artlcles may be intermittently ejected, the guard,

preventing the articles from bein thrown in all directions bycentrifugal orce and preventing an attendant or o eriitor of the machine from being ticles.

Fifth, the machine possesses certain novel details of construction which. obviate the necessity of using a water cooling system for the mold, which compensate for eipaninjure ,by such armachine subjected to high temperatures, which prevent jamming hr stickingof movable parts of the machine, which eliminate friction and inaccuracies or imperfections.

in the 'articlesproduced by the machine, and which permit of the machine parts being readily assembled, manufactured at a tiona view of the rotary mold of the ma-' chine, its gate and guard,-showing the posi-' tion of the gate during the ejection of an article;

Fig. 3 is an enlar ed cross'sectional view taken on the line II III of the following figure;

features of my invention will here- I 1 sion and contraction of those parts'of the elevation of the auto- Fi 2 is an enlarged longitudinal 'sec-' Fig. 418 an enlarged longitudinal ad m view taken on the hue IV'-IV of Fig. 1

" Fig. 5 'is an enlarged cross sectional view 6 is an enlar d cross sectional view taken on the line V -VI of Fig. 4;

a portion :of the rotary mold showing the gate thereof in a closed position, and an article in the mold, and

Fig. 8 is a plan of the base or bed of the .moldin machine with certain uprights or pedesta s thereof in a horizontal section.

Reference will first be had to Figs. 1 and I 8 showing a substantially rectangular frame Y in the frame 1.

1 that may be suitably mounted on a foundation or other support and the side Walls of said frame have opposed apertured ears or bearings 2v for a transversely disposed trunnion or pivot 3 supporting a tiltable machine bed or platform 4, which is also substantially rectangular and is partially housed with- The trunnion or Y may be conveniently in the form'o transversely bolt. I a

On the end and side walls of the frame 1 are a plurality of overhanging brackets 5 provided with set screws or bolts 6 having the lower ends thereof engaging laterally disposed tie rods or nut equipped extendinglugs 7 carried by endand side the set screws 6, the machine bed may walls ofthe machine bed 4, and by adjusting tilted on its trunnion or pivot to a desired which alsoserve as supports, said rods being inclination and it is this angular adjustment of the machine bed which will permit of articles of various sizes being roduced from various kinds of plastic an molten materials. On what may be conveniently considered the rear end of the machine bed 4 is aset of guides 8 and an intermediate pedestal 9,.

said guides and pedestal being disposed at an obtuse angle to the greater part of the machine bed so that the longitudinal axes of said guides and pedestal will be disposed at an acute angle relative" to the greater part of the machine bed.

On the forward end of the machine bed 4 is an. upright or pedestal longitudinally alining with the pedestal 9 and mounted on the up er end of the pedestal 10 is an angularly dis osed bifurcated member 11 rovided wit be'arin s 12 and 13, said bearings having the axes t ereof co-axial relative to each other and the axis of the pedestal 9.

On the sides of the bearing 13 are guides 14 for a set of reciprocatory guide rods 15 slidable in the guides 8.

Journaled 'n the bearing 12 is a rotary tubular mold support 16 and mounted on said support, at the upper end of the bear ing'15, is an abutment 17. Interposed between this abutment and the end of the bearing 12 is an anti-frictional end thrust bearing 18. At the lower or-o posite end of the bearing 12 is aspacin col ar '19 and aworm. 20, sai worm being xed on a reduced end 21 of the tubularmold support 16. Mesh ing with the worm is aworm wheel 22 ivot 3v mountedon the armature shaft 23 of an electric motor 24, said motor being mounted on a central enlargement 25 of the machine bed 4. This motor may be operated from a suitable source of electrical energy fir driving the rotary tubular mold support 16, and

may be distributed on the walls of the cavity by centrifugal force to form an article, and

. the bottom of the mold cavity has a beveled inafter appear. y Fixed on the ripper or forward ends of the reciprocatory rods 15- are the apertured ears 31 of a gate ring 32 and detachably mounted seat or wall for a purpose that will hereb in said gate ring. is an outer race member 33 provided with anti-frictional balls 34 supporting an inner race member 35 which is held in lace by a retaining nut or ring 37 mounte on the inner race member and engaging the gate ring, 32 and theouter race member 33.

Detachably mounted in the inner race member 35 is a gate or end mold 37'pro- .vided with a central opening 38 through which plastic or molten material may be poured. The inner-face of the gate .or end mold 37 is adapted to contact with the outer end face of the mold shell 28, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 7 and the inner and outer race members 35 and 33 respect1vely,j have or end mold member contacting 'withthe mold shell, while the'outer end of the mold body 26'is'shaped to provide clearance" for" the inner race member 35. The inner face toafl'ord an end mold cavity in communication with the mold cavity 29 and adapted to form a collar, flange or offset portion. 40 on an article: -41 produced in the mold cavity 29.

Slidably mounted rods 15, contiguous to the set of guides 8, are the apertured ears 42 of a head 43 between the rods 15-' The ears 42 normally 15 and engaging said fears are coiled ex- .105 a-configuration which permits of the-gate- .110 of the gate or end mold 37 may have an] yannular recess 39 of such configuration as on the reoiprocatory engage abut 'nents or stops 44 on the rods panslon'sprlngs 45' encircling the rods 15.v

and,held,against the ears 42 by'adjustable of the rods 15, which reduced ends are slid.-

end abutmentsor nuts .46 on reduced ends able in the'guides 8. The springs 45 com-'- pensate for expansion and contraction between the mold and its gate and other parts of the machine.

Mounted in the head 43' are end thrust bearings 47 supporting a sleeve 48 and slidable in said sleeve is an ejector rod or -plunger 49 provided with a head or nuts -50 against the end of the sleeve 48, so that the'head 43 may retract the ejector rod or plunger 49. On this rod or plunger. adjacent the outer end of the sleeve 48 is an adjustable abutment 51 and after the head 43 has moved a predetermined distance relative to the ejector rod or plunger 49, the end ofthe sleeve 48 engages the abutment 51 and 'causes the head 43 and the ejector rod to move in synchronism. Theabutment 51 is adjustable relative to the ejector rod or plunger 49 so that the ejector rod may .be used-in connection with mold shells of various lengths.

The upper or outer end of the ejector rod orplunger 49 is reduced, as at 52 so as to provide an annular chamber 53 within the tubular mold support 16 into which the ejector rod extends, and the reduced end of said ejector rod extends into. the inner end of the mold shell 28 and is provided with an ejector head 54 normally on the seat 30 at the inner end of the mold cavity 29. The ejector head 54 normally closes and seals the inner end of the mold cavity and when the ejector rod or plunger 49 is distended or shifted outwardly relative to the mold support 16, the article 41 within the moldshell will be pushed and discharged therefrom. To prevent this article and others from being thrown about due to the centrifugal motion of the mold, a cylindrical guard 55 is placed about the upper or outer end of the mold .body 26, as

best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The guard 55 vides the annular chamber 53 in the mold support 16 and this annular chamber communicateswith a plurality of radially disposed openings 59 and a circumferential groove 60 in the mold support 16. The groove 60 becomes an annular passage because of the bearing 13 and in said hear-- ing is an air inlet port 61 communicating with a ported valve body 62 mounted in the lower face of the bearing 13. In the'po'rted valve body 62 is a one-way conical ported valve plug .63 controlling communication between the port 61 of the bearing and an air'supply pipe 64 connected to the valve body 62. The air supply pipe 64 may communicate with a suitable source of air, under pressure, and when the valve is opened the 28 about the reduced end 52 ofthe ejector rod or pl nger 49, and with the ejector head 54 unseated or in a distended position, as shown in Fig. 2, the; air produces a blast in the mold cavity 29 and blows therefrom any foreign matter, forv instancegraphitic flakes. I

The air valve is of a conventional formand the plug 63 has its stem 66 provided with a slotted crank 67 into which. extends a pin 68 carried by one of the rods 15, so that outward or forward movement of the reciprocatory rods 15 and the mold gate 37 will cause the air valve to be opened and admit a supply of air to the mold cavity 29 as the article 41 is ejected therefrom. Retraction of the mold gate to close the mold cavity causes the air valve to be closed.

The pedestal 9 supports an air cylinder 69 in proximity to the head 43 which has its upper wall flattened or cut away to pro-. vide clearance for the air cylinder. In the air cylinder 69 and protruding from ends thereof, is a piston rod 70 provided with a as j piston 71, said rod and piston being ported,

as at 72 so that air may be admitted tothe cylinder 69, at either side of the piston.71,

to shift said piston and the rod 70 in a desired direction. The ported piston rod 70 extends through coupling members 73 provided with air conduits 74 ada ted'to communicate either with the atmosp ere or a suitable supply of air, under pressure, and

suitably controlled, so that air may be ad- 'mitted to and exhausted from the air cylinder 69. The elements 69 to 74 inclusive are of a conventional form which permits of air under pressure being utilized for recip rocating the piston rod 70, and the upper or outer end of this piston rod is fixed to an arm 75 of the head 43,-thus permitting of air under pressure being utilized as a prime mover, first for the rods 15, and then jointly for said rods and the ejector rod or plunger 49.

In operation, I will assume that the elec-- tric motor 24 is placed .in operation and that the mold support 16,'mold body -26 and mold shell 28 are revolved at a high rate of speed suliicient to centrifugally dis-.

tribute plastic or molten material placed in a retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1, the mold gate 37 is closed and the operator or attendant of the machine may ladle or otherwise gather a predetermined quantity of the mold cavity 29. With the piston 70 in I molten material, for instance, iron, and place takes place while the ejector rod or plunger 49 is in a retracted osition causing the head 54 to form the ottom of the mold cavity 29, and when a s uflicient period of time has elapsed for solidification of the molten metal, air can be admitted to the inner end of the cylinder 69 to shift the piston 70, arm 75 and head 43. Initial movement of the head 43 is independent of the ejector rod or plunger 49 and as the' rods are pushed outwardly by the head 43 the mold gate is opened to free said gate.

from the collar or offset portion of the article 41, said mold gate and themold Shell being made of a refractory material to which molten metal will not freeze, although other materials may be used in the construc tion of,.the mold ate so long as articlescan be ejected-from t e mold shell without unthe opening 58 thereof to a receptacle or said mold shell being cooled and foreign a fresh batch of molten metal duly injuring theouter walls of such articles. As the initial movement of the mold gate takes place the head 43 approaches, and eventually engages the abutment 51.0f the ejector rod .49 and then said rod moves in unison with the rods 15. Projection of the ejector rod inthemoldsupport 16 causes the ejector head 54 to shift thearticle 41 out of. the mold shell into the guard 55 and from this guard through into the hands of the operator or attendant of the machine. As the ejection of the article takesplace cally actuated to admit air to the mold shell,

matter discharged therefrom.

I The supply of air. to andfrom the air cylinder 69 may be "controlled through the medium of a suitable pedal mechanism actuated by the operator or attendant of the machine so that his hands will free for other duties and it is obvious that there may be a rest period or cessation in the production of articles without necessarily shuttin down the motor which revolves the mol When another article is to be reproduced it is necessarythat air be admitted tothe u per end of the cylinder 69 to retract the e ector rod 49, shut off the supply of air to the mold and close the mold gate, when may be placed in the mold and another article produced.

I It will be noted that when the mold gate it is to the air valve is automati-' .tary tic materialtherein and to be rotated w ere- .by, such material is' subjected to centrifu 1 action which shapes the material in the mo d,

is in aclosed positionit is free to revolve in synchronism with-the rotary mold, by.

virtue of the anti-frictional .bearing supporting .the mold gate in the mold ring and the spr1ngs45 will compensate for any expan- "sion or contraction of the mold or mold gate,

thus preventing the mold gate fromsticking or jamming. The air admitted'to the mold for cooling'purposes also prevents sticking or jamming of the ejector rod or plunger 49, and since the mold shell isde' tut'llable it is obvious that other mold shells may be placed in the mold bodyto obtain contour 1 and articles of desired length, weight. f

I attach considerable importance to the angular adjustmentof the machine relative to the base or frame as it is'by'this adj us'tment thatI may regulate the distribution of molten metal in the rotary mold. This, together with speed regulation, and size of mold shell will determine the nature of the 1 article to be produced and nature of the material that may enter into such article.

' While in the drawings there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my'invention, be understood that the structural elements are subjectedto such changes in .size', shape or manner of assemblingas fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What-I claim is 1. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a tiltable rotary mold, a gate movable to and from said mold, an article ejector in said mold, means for, rotating said mold, means adapted for moying saldgate and actuating said ejector, and means controlled by -mo-vement of said gate adapted to admit air under pressure to said mold for cooling and cleaning purposes. j

2.1m a centrifugal casting machine, rotary molds adapted to receive molten or plastic material therein and to be rotated whereby such material is sub'ected to centrifugal action which shapes t e material in the mold ;-a gate movable to and from a closed position with respect to each mold, an

ejector movable in said mold, and gate oper-' ating means having said movement thereof,

said means causing actuation of sai'd'e'jector after said gate is partially removed.

3Q A centrifugal casting machine as called for in claim 2, wherein said gate operating means is actuated by air under pressure and final movement of said gate is in synchronism' with said ejector.

.4. A centrifugal castm machine as called for in claim 2, wherein said gate is supported to be revolved by said mold when in a closed in position. .5. In a centrifugal casting machine, a romold adapted to receive molten or lasan ejector movable in said mold, said means comprising an ejector head forming the bot- 8. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a driven rotary mold support, a mold body on said support, an interchangeable mold shell in said mold body in which mate rial may be moulded by rotation of said mold body subjecting the material to centrifugal action, an ejector rod extending through said moldsupport into said mold shell, a head on said rod formin the bottom of a mold cavity in said mol shell, means at the inner end of said mold support adapted for reciprocating said ejector rod to pause a moulded article to. be discharged from said mold shell, and means actuated in nchronism with the ejection of an attic e from said mold shell adapted to admit air' under pressure. thereto for-coolingand cleaning purposes. I

9. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a driven rotary mold support normally di osed at an angle to the horizontal, a mdl d on the outer end of said .sup ort in which mold material may be moul ed by rotation of said mold subjecting the material to centrifugal-action, a gate movable to and. from said mold, a head adapted for moving said gate, an article e ector shdable in said. mold so. port, said mold and said head, and adapt'e to be shifted b said head, and means adapted to move sai head, said gate being initially shifted in advance of said ejector and then' in synchronism therewith. 10. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a driven rotary mold su port nor-' mally disposed at an an le to theli a' mold on the outer on of said sup ort in which mold material may be mould orizontal,

ed by rotation of said mold subjecting the material "to centrifugal action, amovable gate for said mold, an article ejector slidable in said mold support and said mold, a valve'controllin a supply of air tocsaid mold for-coolin an cleaning purposes, and means 'adapte for simultaneously moving said gate, slidingv said -'e'ector and adjusting said valve.

11. n a casting machine, a mold'body, a mold shell detachably mounted in said body,

an ejector extending into said mold shell and forming the bottom .of a mold cavity in' said shell, an air valve communicating'with said mold shell and adapted to, admit air to said mold 'shell,--for'coolin and cleaning purposes, and means adap'te to simultaneously adjust said air valve and said ejector.

12. A casting machine as called for in claim 11, and. a rotary tubular support for said mold body and through which said support and said e ector extends and air passes to said mold shell.

In testimony where f I aflix in presenceoftwo wit asses. I I BENJAMIN NOBLE.

Witn: y a

Km I- I. Bonn, j

my signature 

